Going independent

Profits and revenues are down for all but one of the brokerages.

The recruit spent two years researching the move before deciding to leave the wirehouse.

The largest teams to go indie this year managed more than $5 billion in client assets.

The recruits generated $1.8 million in annual production before making the move.

He will join a team of ex-Merrill advisers that will oversee more than $370 million in client assets at Snowden.

The recruits moved to the independent side of Wells Fargo.

Advisers worry about the uncertainties and risk about becoming RIAs, according to a recent TD Ameritrade survey. Here's how to navigate around those concerns.